
FLS 

2015 

038583 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


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^hraljam Etntoln 








A Poem 




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By 


J. R. FREEMAN 




Abraham Lincoln 


A Poem 

By 

J. R. FREEMAN 


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RECITED BY THE AUTHOR AT 
THE LINCOLN CENTENARY 
MERRIMAC, WIS., FEB. 12, 1909 



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Copyright 1909 by 

J, R. V- 



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;^bral)am JLtncoln 


Ft was just a luindrecl years ago. 

In an old Kentucky lionie^ 

In the days of ])ioneers you know, 

AYhen bears and Indians used to I’oain, 

1 

Destined for the Hall of Fame, 

Tliere was born a little bal)e. 

“■Lincoln’^ was the family name. 

And they called the baby ^k\be.” 

Strange it may seem to some of you, 

This baby g■re^c and laughed ami c-ried 

Just as babies now' days do; 

• ' 

FJe couldn’t have done ditferent if he’d tried. 

He had his time for crawling. 

On the old log cabin door; 

He had his time for squalling 
Because his teeth were sore. 

xVs soon as lie was old enough to trot around alone 
And get into mischief almost every day. 

His mother had to spank him to make him stay at home, 

Or tie him to the bed-post, where he couldn’t get away. 

Xot because the mother had a grudge against the lad, 

Or took delight in teasing him, as some might think and 
But because she knew he’d grow up bad [say; 

If she always let him have his way. 


Page Thret 


ABRAHAM LINCOLN 


(Jf boys doii^t ]iiind their mothers well, 

Yoidll tind^ as a general rule^ 

TJiey won’t learn to read and write and spell^ 

And the teachers will ^^pick on them” at school). 

The sunshine was taken from Lincoln’s life 
In early boyliood. A bitter sorrow came 

And made his lot a melancholy strife, 

A factor in making him what he became. 

Yet his sadness was intermitted 
By hard work as well as fun; 

And these all helped to make him fitted 
For life’s work, just about to be begun. 

The lux lilies which boys have now, 

AVere entirely unknown to him. 

The Merrimac bo}^s would raise a row 
If they ever had to fare so slim. 

t/ 

Could you have seen those home-made stitches, 

I’m sure you would have laughed at the awkward sight ; 

For the ragged ends of his buck-skin lireeches, 

Didn’t reach his ankles, quite. 

A few good books he studied through, 

He meditated every line. 

You should do the same. If you do. 

It will lielp you to lielp yourself, sometime. 

But if you skip the pages 
In a careless sort of style. 

You will be anything but sages. 

Though you live and read a long, long wliile. 


Page Fonr 


ABRAHAM LINCOLN 


That Lincoln conld tell a joke or yarn 
To beat the other hoys, is true. 

Whether in the store or on the farm, 

His audience Avas sure of something new. 

^‘That reminds me of a story” Abe Avould sa\% 

t' ' 

And the boys would all begin to smile ; 

For they knew when he started out that way. 

There was somethinor coming in a little while. 

And as Abe proceeded with the joke. 

Of course they all knew that lie was joking; 

They kneAc they must eitlier laugh or choke, 

So all commenced laughing to keep from choking. 

And when at last llie climax came, 

They saw it was to teach as well as please : 

Then the boys all doubled up the same. 

Till their noses and chins ’most reached their knees. 

Time rolled along, and in its wake 
Left memories such as these 
To be recalled in future days, and make 

Mirth for boys and girls on Lincoln anniversaries. 

ILit boys, you must not be misled. 

Supposing that Lincoln Avon his fame 
By the funny little jokes he said; 

Tf vou think that, you’ll miss vour aim. 

ddiose little jokes AA'ere l)ut the chafl’, 

Beneath Avhich lay the golden grain. 

Lincoln made the boys all laugh. 

But sense, not nonsense, Avon his fame. 


Pape Five 


'i > 
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ABRAHAM LINCOLN 


‘‘rioTiest Abe" was tlie name he won, 

I\y hottest 1/ to young and old. 
lie would liave lost in the presidential run, 

Had he cheated customers to whom he sold. 

Mark well the hituhtess that he showed 
d'o every living, breathing, creature. 

He wouldn't have haianed a little toad 
Xor a ('ranky old scliool -teacher. 

He had jterseuc ranee to stick to his work 
Until it was well completed. 

He didn’t sav ^Aan’t” and ^Svon’t”, and shirk. 
Thinking the teacher would be cheated. 

Lincoln was always a temperance man; 

Strong drink he never commenced drinking. 

To follow his example would be a wise plan, 

For strong drink Avill spoil your brain for thinking. 

He had faith in a Providence, wise and just. 

Puling over all creation. 

In that Providence he placed his trust. 

And was given power to save the nation. 

His charitij toward a conquered foe, 

Showed there was no malice in his heart; 

He didn’t kill them, but let them go, 

And gavT‘ them a chance for another start. 

If all these ([ualities you will acquire, 

And citltivate them while you’re young, 

You’ll have a call before vou retire, 

« 

To some good Avork tliat must be done. 

1-' ■ X 
c < t 

. < 


Page Six 


ABRAHAM LINCOLN 


I hope tliese suggested lines 

Some helpful lesson will not lack^, 

That will make some ini23ression on the minds. 
Of the bo 3 ^s and girls of Merrimac. 


s 


And now to you old soldiers, met 
In memory of your martyred chief : 

We are glad that you are surviving yet 
To relate your experiences in brief. 

Your ranks grow thinner, year by year; 

And we know that in a few years hence, 
There will be no eye witness here. 

To relate those memorable events. 

This day brings a lesson to the young; 

To yon, it calls up memories dear*. 

Their work in life has just begun; 

Yours is nearlv finished here. 


^to you .the natioJi owes a debl 
It can never pay in full; 

The South would be a separate nation yet, 
Had YOU not heeded Lincoln’s call. 


Page Seven 


ABRAHAM LINCOLN 


You left voiir home, and risked your life 
Til at the Union you might save; 

You lielped Lincoln win that niiglity strife; 
You helped him free the Xegro slave. 

^’oii left upon the scene of Avar, 

^[any a comrade, true and brave; 

J)V some mere accideni, as it Avere, 

You escaped a nameless grave. 

^^)ur names shall be forever linked. 
Throughout ih(‘ ages yet to come^ 

With the name of .Vbraham Lincoln 
.And the work that he has done. 



Hf 60. 5 






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